Do you remember The Kinks' forgotten Christmas song?

15 December 2025, 10:19

The Kinks wrote a punk rock ripper of a Christmas song in 1977. Picture: Arista Records

By Thomas Edward

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You wouldn't necessarily have them down as a festive kind of band.

But when it came to Christmas, The Kinks did in fact muck in with the festivities like many bands before and after.

Despite their hot tempers and sharp-tongued lyricism, the opportunity to enter the pantheon of artists who receive royalties every December proved too good to miss.

You usually associate The Kinks' songs with all things England, particular its capital city London – its historic scenery, unique behavioural quirks, and forward-thinking sense of fashion.

Even though they jumped on the bandwagon with a Christmas song of their own, they certainly did it on their own terms.

When you think you Christmas songs, it's a safe bet they're going to mention the man at the middle of it all: Father Christmas.

The Kinks' named their song after the bearded bringer of gifts, but their rendition of a Christmas song wasn't as jolly as the man himself.

There are no sleigh bells, twinkling pianos, or cups of eggnog around the crackling fire to be seen or heard.

Instead, The Kinks' 1977 punk rock ripper instead made a snarling comment about the lesser fortunate working classes who end up resenting the holidays more than enjoying them.

The Kinks - Father Christmas (Official HD Video)

The rock 'n' roll track is funny but fierce – you'd expect nothing else from the pen of Ray Davies.

But there's a deep sense of injustice that underpins the song, told from the perspective of a man making a living by dressing up as Father Christmas (or Santa Claus, depending on where in the world you're reading from).

The song details a young man who grew up not believing in Father Christmas, and the magic of the festive season.

But oddly enough he now finds himself performing as the character, before getting beaten up by a group of working class kids who tell him Christmas is for "the little rich boys".

The brutal kids want the Father Christmas impersonator's money, not toys, which suggests their own economic deprivation.

They tell the impersonator that if Father Christmas did truly exist, he'd bring their parents money and well-paid jobs.

Times were tough for many families throughout the UK, and Davies' point really hit home.

The record sleeve for 'Father Christmas'. Picture: Alamy

Davies was always socially conscious in his lyrics, and 'Father Christmas' certainly makes his point about the differences between those who go to excess and those who go without at Christmas time.

“Have yourself a merry merry Christmas / Have yourself a good time / But remember the kids who got nothin’ / While you’re drinkin’ down your wine.”

The song serves as a stark reminder of the cruel differences in some parts of society, which is emphasised by the some people enjoying the finest food, wines and gifts, whilst others have next to nothing.

The lack of joy or celebration in 'Father Christmas' was likely one of the reasons why it failed to chart upon its initial release.

It probably didn't help the The Kinks' commercial fortunes were waning during this period of their career, despite being critically acclaimed in retrospect.

Dave Davies said: "‘Father Christmas&squot; is very special to me, ’cause it was an opportunity to put interesting guitar parts in there… guitar riffs that I think sound great.” — Dave Davies said: "‘Father Christmas' is very special to me, ’cause it was an opportunity to put interesting guitar parts in there… guitar riffs that I think sound great.”. Picture: Arista Records

Dave Davies later commented on 'Father Christmas', and what he loved about it during a later interview.

“I love the humour of it, and the aggression and bitterness. I could see the faces of my parents when Christmas came around," he said. "They had to struggle to make ends meet.

"We kind of got what we needed, but there was something fake about the holiday."

Dave added: "In the old days people would just wrap something up they made in a piece of paper [to give as a Christmas gift].

"What's wrong with that? You know, why does it got to be so classified and commercialised when, you know, there are really very tender emotions that fly around at Christmas."

Released as the height of the punk boom, the message behind 'Father Christmas' has also seen it become a favourite for numerous punk bands in the years since.

Ray Davies delivered the cynical lyrics to 'Father Christmas' with a typically cheeky smile. Picture: Arista Records

TV Live: The Kinks - "Father Christmas" (Live from VH1)

It's not all joylessness however, especially given Ray Davies insistence on dressing up as Father Christmas when they played the song.

Though, other bands they'd perform with weren't too chuffed about his antics, as he'd often steal the show.

Talking to Californian radio station KSWD, Davies recalled: "I went on dressed as Santa at the end of the show to do 'Father Christmas.' And the other band found it hard to follow us.

"The following night with the same band I went to run on but there was a bunch of heavies preventing me from running on stage. And I was protesting.

"But the people said, 'The Kinks didn't do an encore but Santa Claus was there and they were stopping him from going on stage.'"

The Kinks' witty 'Father Christmas' might've offered up a chilly dose of reality, but that hasn't stopped it becoming a Christmas favourite.